Photographic washing apparatus.



No. 644,898. Patented Mar. 6, I900.

mW. F. CRAWFORD. PHOTOGRAPHIG WASHING APPARATUS.

(Applicatxon filed. ar 1 189 (No Model.)

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PHOTOGRAPHIC WASHING APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 644,898, dated March 6, 1900.

Application filed March 17,1899. Serial No. 709,418. (No model.)

To all whom zit may concern.

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM FITZGERALD CRAWFORD, a subject of the Queen of Great Britain, residing at 160 Westbourne Terrace, London, England, have invented a new and useful Apparatus for Washing sensitized Films and Plates, (for which I have obtained provisional protection in Great Britain, No. 243, dated January 5, 1899,) of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to an improved apparatus for developing, washing, and fixing sensitized photographic films and plates and for developing, toning, fixing, and washing prints.

The object of my invention is to provide a simple and easily-operated device for effectively developing, fixing, washing, toning, or otherwise treating sensitized films and the like.

It consists, essentially, of a pair of disks mounted upon a horizontal axis and having their inner surface grooved radially in such a manner that the grooves of each disk are exactly opposite the grooves of the other disk and are thus capable of receiving one or more photographic plates or carriers in or upon which the films, plates, prints, or the like can be disposed. This apparatus is suitably supported over a trough of convenient shape and so that practically the lower half of the disks is immersed in the liquid contained in the said trough. Means are provided for rotating the said disks and for the supply of liquid and also arranged for the easy removal of the disks,with their contents, from one trough to another, where required. This apparatus consequently forms a very effective and simple device for developing, fixing, rinsing, or washing plates or films or for toning, fixing, and washing prints.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 illustrates in section, and Fig. 2 in plan view, a carrier for the said plates, films, or prints. Figs. 3, 4, and 5 illustrate sections of the disks. Figs. 6 and 7 show a section and elevation, respectively, of the radial sector or carrier. Fig. 8 shows an isometric projection of the developing, toning, fixing, and washing apparatus. Fig. 9 shows a separate washing-trough, to be used in conjunction with Fig. 8, for automatically washin g plates,

films, and prints after developing, toning, fixing, and the like. Fig. 10 shows a view of the same apparatus with combined watermotor for washing large plates, prints, or films, which may be used to develop, tone, or

fix in the manner of Fig. 8 by removing the i bands f.

In the drawings, Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4., 6, 7, .and 8, A indicates the trough, internally half-circular, of a slightly-greater diameter than the disks; B, the disks; 0, the shaft or horizontal axis; D, the milled buttons (only one shown) for revolving the apparatus by hand. In place of milled buttons ordinary handles maybe employed. F is the film or plate carrier, and G the radial sector. The disks B, connected by the shaft 0, are shown in Fig. 8 as supported in bearings in the edges of the trough A. Each disk B has at least one peripheral groove is, in which is located an elastic ring Z. This ring is of a diameter slightly smaller than that ofthe disks, so that it will remain turned over toward the inside or to ward the outside of the groove, according to the position in which it is placed by the operator, and, moreover, the ring can be turned over partlyin one direction and partly in the other.

The disks B are radially grooved, as shown in Fig. 8. The grooves of each disk are arranged exactly opposite the corresponding grooves of the other side,and the photographic plates and carriers F, Figs. 1 and 2, and radial sectors G, Figs. 6 and 7, are arranged to slide in these grooves.

The apparatus shown in Fig. 8 is intended to be revolved by hand by turning the milled buttons D, and in this manner an eiiective developing, toning, fixing, or washing of the plates, films, prints, or the like can be obtained.

The radial sectors, Figs. 6 and '7, maybe used to produce sectional chambers between the disks by placing them with the tops all facing in one direction to accommodate plates, films, or prints during the processes of developing, fixing, toning, or washing. The sectors may consist of pieces of perforated zinc or other suitable metal bent into the form shown in section in Fig. 6.

The carrier shown in Fig. 1 is preferably of a double form, as shown, and may be used either for the largest size the machine can take or smaller plates, films, or prints, which are inserted therein sidewise within wider or narrower curved edges, as shown in the drawings.

In Fig. 9, A indicates a trough constructed of tin or other suitable metal similar in shape and construction to A, Fig. 8, with lugs or brackets m to support the spindle by its smaller bearings u (shown on the milled buttons D) during the process of automatic washing of plates, films, or prints, which operation is performed by the impact of the washing-water on the plates or carriers causing the whole to revolve. H is a sliding regulator to govern the exit of the washing-water.

In Fig. 10, A indicates the trough, as in Fig. 8; B, the disks; 0, the shaft. The ends of the shaft 0 enter slots 6 in the side of the trough, so arranged that the shaft is merely kept in place, and the disks are entirely supported by being suspended by the drivingbands f from the pulleys g on the horizontal shaft h of the motor 2'. The periphery of each disk in this figure has a second groove for the cord f, Figs. 5 and 10.

The apparatus, Fig. 10, is intended to be operated automatically by the water employed in washing the larger sizes of the plates,films,

or prints.

The motor 1', which may be a paddle-wheel, turbine, or other convenient form of motor, receives the water from a jet or otherwise and is set in motion thereby, and as the disks, shaft, and contents are suspended by the endless bands f from the axle h of the said motor the apparatus is revolved in accordance with the revolving of said motor and the wash ing of the plates, films, or prints is effected automatically. The plates, films, or prints are kept in position by the perforated radial sectors shown, (in Figs. 6 and 7,) or may be attached to the carriers F,or in the case of plates maybe slid into the grooves without carriers or supports.

My device is operated as follows: For ordinary developing, fixing, and toning processes and for slight Washing or rinsing I make use of the apparatus shown in Fig. 8. Having placed a sufficient quantity of developing solution in the trough A and inserted the plates in the radial grooves of the disks B, I then turn the rubber strips or rings Z inward, which immediately and effectively prevents any of the plates from slipping out as the disks revolve. I then cause the disks and contents to revolve in the trough until the plates are fully developed. The disks are now lifted out of the trough and placed in the washingtrough A, Fig. 9, and automatically washed for a sufficient time. A, Fig. 8, is emptied of developer,washed,and charged with sufficient fixing solution, whereupon the disks are immersed and revolved in it until fixation is completed. The disks are finally removed and placed in trough A, Fig. 9, where they revolve by the impact of the water on the plates or carriers from a tap or other orifice until they are completely Washed.

The manipulation of films and prints is substantially the same as for plates; but the films and prints are first inserted in the carriers, Figs. 1 and 2, or they may be placed in the sectorial chambers formed by placing the radial sectors G in position.

The apparatus shown in Fig. 10 is designed for plates, films, or prints of a larger size than half-plate and is driven automatically by a constant flow of liquid, which after revolving the motor falls. on the perforated radial sectors, plates, or carriers, Figs. 6 and 7, which are placed in the grooves of the disks, as described, percolates through them and falls into the trough, and escapes therefrom by a siphon or suitable orifice.

Various detail modifications of the inven tion may obviously be made. Thus a carrier device for plates can be attached to the hori* zontal shaft and the plates be inserted therein from the side, or the disks may be grooved tangentially instead of radially, or the disks can be placed vertically above one another and arranged to revolve in a circular vessel. Further, the water-motor may be situated on a prolongation of the disk-shaft.

What I claim is 1. In a machine for treating with liquids sensitized surfaces, a pair of axially-united radially and correspondingly grooved disks, means for rotating said disks, and countersunk elastic rings around the edges of said disks adapted to permanently retain or rapidly release all or any objects inserted in the radial grooves of said disks.

2. In a machine for treating with liquids sensitized surfaces, a pair of axially-united radially and correspondingly grooved disks, means for rotating said disks, fiat carriers adapted to retain and protect thin films inserted therein, elastic rings peripherally adjusted on said disks, and adapted to retain or release said carriers, and means for treating with liquid the said films.

3. In a machine for treating with liquids sensitized surfaces, a pair of axially-united radially and correspondingly grooved disks, means for rotating said disks, fiat carriers adapted to retain and protect thin films inserted therein, elastic rings peripherally adj usted on said disks, and adapted to retain or release said carriers, and a plurality of baths capable of successively receiving the rotatable mechanism and carriers.

4. In a machine for treating with liquids sensitized surfaces, in combination, the

grooved disks B, the connecting-axle C, the water-wheel 2', the pulleys g, the supports E, the connecting-bands f, the retaining-bands IIO Z, and means for immersing the lower half of the said disks B in liquid.

5. In a machine for treating with liquids sensitized surfaces, in combination, the horizontal shaft 0, means for revolving the said shaft, the inwardly and correspondingly radially grooved disks B mounted on said shaft, the carriers F, the sectors G, and a plurality of baths capable of successively receiving the said rotatable mechanism.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two Witnesses. WILLIAM FITZGERALD CRAWFQRD.

Witnesses: HERBERT SEEToN-J ONES, GEORGE WILLIAM RosE. 

